Ssebutinde meets Luzira inmate she sentenced

Justice Julia Ssebutinde meets Jackson Kabaza, an inmate she sentenced to Luzira prison. Photo BY SHIFFA KULANYI

Kampala- Justice Julia Ssebutinde of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has advised inmates to take up Prison Education Programmes (PEP) in order to have a purpose and leave prison better people.

“Aspire to inspire before you expire or retire...Everything is a building block; everything that comes in your life, including serving time is a building block and time does not become still when you are imprisoned. Grab every opportunity you get,” Justice Ssebutinde told Luzira prison inmates on Wednesday.

She was visiting the prison for the first time as Chancellor of Muteesa I Royal University during an awards ceremony for inmates who had completed short academic and rehabilitation courses. Ronald Byakatonda, a PEP beneficiary, said they learnt how to manage businesses and relate with other people in a peaceful way. “We also learnt how to control anger within the prisons and once we are released,” he said.

Justice Ssebutinde also hailed Jackson Kabaza, an inmate she sentenced as judge before leaving for the ICJ, for reforming.
Kabaza, a former policeman attached to Kira Road Police Station, was convicted of robbery in 2001.

“It’s a surreal and wonderful feeling to see that an inmate I sentenced has reformed,” Justice Ssebutinde said.

The judge said she had not recognised Kabaza because she had handled many cases at the time but he prompted her.
“The inmate reformed and he haboured no hate towards me and I was thankful,” Justice Ssebutinde said.

Mr Anatoli Biryomumaisho, the head of education in the Prisons service, said it was humbling to see reformed inmates.

“This (usually) takes months and even years,” he said, adding that they would replicate the programme in other prisons countrywide.